Prosthetic nail

ABSTRACT

The device acts as a pliable prosthetic nail in establishing the normal anatomical relationship between the defective lateral and distal nail margin and the normal groove adjacent to a normal nail fold of skin. The device, in a flat, extended configuration, has a generally rectangular outline. When viewed in profile, one side of the device has a smoothly formed ridge generally centered on the lateral axis of the rectangle. In operation, the device is applied to the ingrown nail such that the ridge is forced between, and in contacting relationship with, both the nail and the adjoining soft tissues. The remaining portions of the device provide a means for securing the device. The ridge exerts pressure to segregate the ingrown portion of the lateral nail margin from the adjoining inflamed soft tissues and thereby permits the nail to grow out without digging into or otherwise painfully disturbing the adjacent tender skin area.

O United States Patent 1 Berens PROSTHETIC NAIL [76] Inventor: James J.Berens, 44 East Pierson Street, Phoenix, Ariz. 85012 22 Filed: Aug. 23,1971 [21] App]. No.: 173,936

[52] US. Cl 128/81 A [51] Int. Cl. A61t' 5/00 [58] Field of Search128/81 A, 81 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,499,8513/1950 Cronholm 128/81 A 2,342,530 2/1944 Coates 128/81 A 2,542,3242/1951 Gibbons.... 128/81 A 2,818,062 12/1957 Braxton 128/81 A 2,920,621H1960 Fettig 128/81 A Primary Examiner-Richard A. Gaudet AssistantExaminer-J. Yasko Attorney-William C. Cahill et al.

[ Oct. 16, 1973 57 ABSTRACT The device acts as a pliable prosthetic nailin establishing the normal anatomical relationship between the defectivelateral and distal nail margin and the normal groove adjacent to anormal nail fold of skin. The device, in a flat, extended configuration,has a generally rectangular .outline. When viewed in profile, one sideof the device has a smoothly formed ridge generally centered on thelateral axis of the rectangle. In operation, the device is applied tothe ingrown nail such that the ridge is forced between, and incontacting relationship with, both the nail and the adjoining softtissues. The remaining portions of the device provide a means forsecuring the device. The ridge exerts pressure to segregate the ingrownportion of the lateral nail margin from the adjoining inflamed softtissues and thereby permits the nail to grow out without digging into orotherwise painfully disturbing the adjacent tender skin area.

2 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENIEBncnsms 3.765.410

INVENTOR. JAMES J BERENS ATTORNEYS PROSTI-IETIC NAIL The presentinvention relates to devices suitable for relieving pressure, pain, andpossible subsequent infection of toes and fingers caused by ingrownnails.

1 The ingrown nail is a common malady responsible for a great deal ofunnecessary pain and disability. One of the major causes of ingrownnails, particularly toenails, is that of improperly fitted shoes whichinitiate and may perpetuate ingrown toenail problems by producingabnormal pressure between adjacent toes or between the great toe and thetop or side of the shoe. A second source of ingrown toenail problemsarises due to improperly trimmed toenails. In the latter case, when theborders of the nail are improperly shortened, the delicate soft tissuesof the nail plate and nail fold impinge upon the nail by the upwardpressure exerted with each step of walking or running. As these tissuesbecome tender and swollen, further trimming becomes more inadequate anda barb may result from tearing or improperly cutting the lateral edge ofthe shortened nail. In either case, the pain and discomfort arises fromthe soft tissue due to lack of a normal groove adjacent to the normalnail fold of the skin.

One of the popular existing programs in curing the problems of ingrownnails consists of packing a small pledget of absorbent cotton toseparate the nail from the adjacent inflamed swollen soft tissues. Thistech nique is effective in eliminating the painful inflammatory phaseand will carry the patient over to the period when he can achieve anormal length of nail in normal relation to the adjacent soft tissues.The basic problem with this method of treatment is that it requires apersistent and continuing effort by the patient and thus is doomed tofailure in all but a minority of cases. If the patient belongs to anolder age group, there are additional mechanical problems of obesity,tremulousness, poor eyesight and lack of good physical co-ordinationwhich may further impair the efforts of the patient.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide adevice which may be used to effectively reduce the inflammatory edemaand pain resulting from an ingrown nail.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a reduction of theinflammation, swelling and pain by gentle compression of the affectedsoft tissues adjacent the nail.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device whichreduces the repeated irritation and trauma between the soft tissuesrubbing against the nail during exercise.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device whichmay be skin colored and trimmable to simulate the general outline of thetoe or finger and thereby be practically unnoticeable.

A still further object of the present invention is provide a devicewhich may be used by the patient will full and trauma between the softtissues rubbing against the shoe during exercise.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art as the description thereof proceeds.

The present invention may be described with more specificity and claritywith reference to the following figures, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a device incorporating the teachings of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the positional relationship of the device to atoenail.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross section of the device positioned on atoenail.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross section of the application of two devices toa toenail.

FIG. 5 illustrates a profile of a toe with the device attached thereto.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a preferred embodiment of theprosthetic nail. A basic form of the invention may be that of a deviceformed of a flexible strip having a generally rectangular outline withrounded corners. When viewed in profile, the generally uniform thicknessof the device 1 is interrupted by smoothly formed ridge 2 transverse tothe longitudinal axis of the rectangle. For best results, the ridge 2and the remaining portions or flaps 3, 4 of the device 1 should bemolded from pliable non-toxic materials such as medical grade siliconerubber or other similar material. The flaps may also be slightlyflattened or tapered to blend" into the nail or flesh and facilitatetaping the device without bulky ridges under the tape where the deviceends.

The operation of the device may best be explained with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3. In the right foot 5 shown in FIG. 2, it is assumed thatthe left lateral nail margin 6 in the big toe 7 is an ingrown toenailcausing inflammation of the adjoining soft tissues.

To reduce the inflammation and relieve the pain, the device 1 is placedupon the toe 7 in such a manner that the ridge 2 'or raised portioninteracts with the defective lateral nail margin 6 of the nail 8 and theadjacent soft tissue comprising the nail fold 9. The interaction willhave the effect of separating the nail fold 9 from the nail 8 andpreserve the normal nail groove 10. Thenail 8 will, of course, continueto grow and, in due time, will extend toward the extremity of the toe 7without contacting and irritating the soft tissues. When the nail 8 hasgrown until the lateral nail margin 6 can be seen, the prosthetic device1 may be removed. At that time, the lateral nail margin 6 will lie inthe normal nail groove 10 without discomfort or pain.

When seating the prosthetic device, one flap 7 extends over the adjacentsoft tissue of the toe 7 and pre vents a repetitive irritative contactbetween the shoe or other footwear against the inflamed soft tissuesduring walking or other motion of the foot 5. The other flap 3 acts as aprosthetic nail to simulate the normal length and shape of a toenail 8.If desired, this flap 3 may be cut or trimmed to form any desiredtoenail configuration for either aesthetic or practical purposes.

During the period of use, the prosthetic device 1 performs severalphysical and physiological functions for the patient. First, by softgentle pressure on the inflamed swollen and painful tissues adjacent tothe ingrown lateral nail margin 6, the inflammatory edema is decreased.Second, the reduction of the inflammatory edema is followed by areduction of the pain secondary to the inflammation. Third, the normalnail groove 10 may be formed without painful interference from thedefective lateral nail margin 6. 7

As the device 1 is preferably made of material such as medical gradesilicone rubber, it may be cleansed with water, antiseptics, boiled orautoclaved. The device 1 may be colored to simulate the normal skincolor, rendering it less noticeable. It may be held in place by one oftwo basic methods. First, adhesive may be used to secure the device 1 tothe toenail 8 and the side of the toe 7. Second, the device may be heldin place by adhesive tape 11 wrapped about the toe 7 as shown in FIG. 5,and in cross section in FIG. 4. These figures also illustrate thecompactness of the device and its securing means, whereby it does notcreate sufficient additional bulk to prevent the user from wearing hisnormal footwear. Because of the simplicity by which the device may beattached and the lack of bulk, there should be little, if any, problemfor any of the intended users in attaching it and in it remaining inplace through a variety of activities. In severe cases, it has beenfound that application of the device to the inflamed toe and subsequentimmerson of the toe or foot in warm, soapy water has brought aboutprompt relief and the patient may, within a very short time, resume hisnormal activities, including such strenuous activities as athleticcompetition.

FIG. 4 illustrates a further aspect of the multiple benefits availableby the teaching of the invention. The cross section of the toe 12 shownis assumed to have each lateral nail margin 13, 14 interfering with theadjacent soft tissues causing an inflamed edema with attendantirritation and trauma. In this situation, two

prosthetic nail devices 15, 16 would be employed. The Y first device 15would be placed so thatits ridge 17 would separate the left nail margin19 from the adjacent nail fold 20 and nail groove 21. The flap 22 wouldbe placed adjacent the nail 23 and flap 24 would be placed adjacent theleft side 25 of the toe 12. The second device 16 would be placed so thatits ridge 18 would separate the right nail margin 26 from the adjacentnail fold 27 and nail groove 28. The flap 29 would be placed adjacentthe nail 23 and overlap flap 22. Flap 30 would be placed adjacent theright side 31 of the toe 12. The previously discussed adhesive ormedical adhesive tape 32 may be wrapped about the toe as shown in FIG. 5to secure the devices 15, 16in place.

As the device, according to the teaching of the invention, maybe appliedto either toenails or fingernails, there must be available a selectionof sizes and shapes of the device 1. It is conceivable that the heightand thickness of the ridge 2 may be varied to suit a particularapplication. Similarly, the width, length and thickness (includingtapered thickness) may be varied, or the general outline may be altered.However, it is believed that these variations lie within the ambit ofthe teaching of the invention.

I claim:

1. A prosthetic nail device, comprising: a soft, resilient, medicalgrade, silicon rubber strip having top and bottom fiat surfaces andhaving a ridge extending upwardly from one of said surfaces andtransversely of said strip intermediate the ends thereof, said ridge forplacement along the nail margin of an ingrown nail; a first flapextending from said ridge for contacting and extending over the top ofthe nail; a second flap extending from said ridge for contacting skintissues adjacent said ingrown nail and extendingover said skin tissues;and means for securing said first flap to the nail and said second flapto the skin tissue adjoining the nail to position said ridge between thelateral edge of the nail and the adjacent soft tissues and to maintainsaid ridge in place.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and secondflapsare tapered toward the respective ends thereof remote from saidridge, said tapering being achieved by said first and second flatsurfaces approaching each other.

1. A prosthetic nail device, comprising: a soft, resilient, medicalgrade, silicon rubber strip having top and bottom flat surfaces andhaving a ridge extending upwardly from one of said surfaces andtransversely of said strip intermediate the ends thereof, said ridge forplacement along the nail margin of an ingrown nail; a first flapextending from said ridge for contacting and extending over the top ofthe nail; a second flap extending from said ridge for contacting skintissues adjacent said ingrown nail and extending over said skin tissues;and means for securing said first flap to the nail and said second flapto the skin tissue adjoining the nail to position said ridge between thelateral edge of the nail and the adjacent soft tissues and to maintainsaid ridge in place.
 2. The combination set forth in claim 1, whereinsaid first and second flaps are tapered toward the respective endsthereof remote from said ridge, said tapering being achieved by saidfirst and second flat surfaces approaching each other.